Pomnyun


Ven.Pomnyun Sunim Sunim (Korean: 법륜스님, Hanja: 法輪; born 11 April 1953) is a Korean Buddhist monk and a Seon master renowned as an author, a Dharma teacher, and for his humanitarian work.[1] He is also a social activist, leading various movements, such as ecological awareness campaigns and the promotion of human rights, as well as working toward world peace and the eradication of famine, disease, and illiteracy.[2] In recognition of his efforts and achievements, Pomnyun Sunim was a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding in September 2002.[3][4]

Pomnyun
Ven.Pomnyun Sunim
Korean name
Hangul
법륜스님
Hanja
法輪
Revised RomanizationBeomnyunSunim
McCune–ReischauerPomnyunSunim
Birth name
Hangul
최석호
Revised RomanizationChoe Seokho
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Sŏkho

Pomnyun Sunim is the head master of Jungto Society Korea, an organization dedicated to a life of sharing and simple, sustainable living, informed by Buddhist teachings, environmental outreach, and supporting peace in Korea and around the world.[3] He addresses the role Buddhism has played in defining modern Asia’s religious, cultural, social, political, and economic dynamics. His dedication to Buddhist ideals has not only earned him accolades for his work, but has shaped his outlook on the prospects for peace and reconciliation between North and South Korea.[3]

Rather than leading a secluded life of quiet contemplation, Pomnyun Sunim has taken on an unlikely role for a Buddhist monk, focusing on his aim to bring peace, reconciliation, and eventually unity between the two Koreas. Pomnyun Sunim established the Peace Foundation to engage experts in analyzing how best to bring about peace between the two Koreas and between North Korea and the United States, as well as bringing together Buddhists and Christians in dialogue on the subject of world peace.[3][5] He also established Good Friends for Peace, Human Rights, and Refugee Issues, an organization that has been instrumental in his quest for peace in North Korea.[6]

When the tragic flood of 1995 occurred in North Korea, Pomnyun Sunim was quick to extend a helping hand to those across the border. Since then, he has constantly and consistently campaigned for the rights and struggles of the North Korean people.[6] Through his work, thousands of people in North Korea have received aid during times of famine.[1][3] When Good Friends began publishing its newsletter in 2004, it became an important source of information smuggled out of the isolated country and quickly became a must-read among South Korean policymakers and journalists.[5] Pomnyun Sunim has worked extensively to supply humanitarian aid to famine victims in North Korea and to defend the human rights of North Korean refugees in China.[3] He has appealed to the world and South Korean government to put politics aside to help North Korea, and has encouraged South Koreans to give liberally to their starving neighbors.[2]

International and domestic relief activities for peace and human rights
  • 1993: Founded the Sujata Academy in Dungeshwari, Bihar, India. Founded JTS India.
  • 1996: Founded JTS Korea
  • 2003: Founded JTS Philippines and provided aid to indigenous and Muslim minorities in Mindanao
  • 2004–19: Opened Senior Welfare Center in Jungto Village in Debuk, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
  • 2015–19: Opened the Ansan JTS Multicultural Center to support foreign laborers in South Korea
  • 2019: Provided 100,000 gas stoves to Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh

Books
  • Prayer: Letting Go. Jungto Publishing. 2014. ISBN 978-89-85961-84-4.
  • True Wisdom: Ten Precious Guidelines from Bowang Sammaeron for a Happy Life. Jungto Publishing. 2013. ISBN 978-89-85961-80-6.
  • True Freedom: The one Thing that Happy People Have in Common. Jungto Publishing. 2011. ISBN 978-89-85961-68-4.
  • True Happiness: Here and Now. Jungto Publishing. 2010. ISBN 978-89-85961-64-6.
  • Awakening. Jungto Publishing. 2015. ISBN 978-89-85961-98-1.
  • A Monk’s Reply to Everyday Problems. Jungto Publishing. 2018. ISBN 979-11-87297-16-1.

Public Dharma Talks
  • 2011–19: Gave 100 Dharma Q&A talks entitled, “Creating a hopeful world,” in Korea
  • 2012–19: Gave 50 english-interpreted talks entitled, “Creating a Hopeful World,” around the world [7]
  • 2018: Operates two Youtube channels. “Pomnyun Sunim’s Dharma Q&A” has over 1 million subscribers and has 700 million culmuative views [8]
  • 2019: Opened the Happiness Center, a regional organization model for peace on the Korean peninsula and happiness of the people [9]

Online Public Dharma Talks
  • Ven. Pomnyun Sunim* will conduct a live-streamed worldwide Dharma talk on 19 July under the theme “A Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim: About Life, Love, Success, and Happiness.”https://sites.google.com/jungto.org/2020-pomnyun-live/home since an international Dharma talk tour planned for March-May has been postponed, following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The postponed international tour, which was originally scheduled to run from 25 March–30 May, had a planned itinerary of 12 cities in seven countries, featuring London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Toronto, Minneapolis, New York, Washington, DC, Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seoul. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/ven-pomnyun-sunim-plans-live-streamed-global-dharma-talk

Livestream Meditaion with Ven.PomnyunSunim
  • [With English interpretation] The 12th session of social distancing sangha meditation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, recorded live from Dubuk, South Korea, on June 28th, 2020 with appx. 3,220 online participants from around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7htZKwiVKN4

Awards
  • 2020: 37th Niwano Peace Prize (Niwano Peace Foundation; to be formally presented in November, 2020, in Tokyo)
  • 2018: Order of Civil Merit, Peony Meda (Moran Medal) for Civil Unification Movement from the South Korean Government
  • 2015: Kripasaran Award (Bengal Association, June 22, 2015)
  • 2011: 6th Reunification and Culture Award (Segye Daily, Reunification and Culture Research Institute, November 28, 2011)
  • 2011: POSCO TJ Park Community Development and Philanthropy Prize (POSCO TJ Park Foundation, March 22, 2011)
  • 2007: 5th National Reconciliation Award(Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, December 13, 2007)
  • 2006: 2nd DMZ Peace Prize for Exchange and Cooperation (Gangwon Province, November 22, 2006)
  • 2002: Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding (Magsaysay Foundation, August 31, 2002)
  • 1998: Kyobo Environmental Culture Award in the Social Education Category

See also

References
  1. Kim, Kristie (September 19, 2013). "Buddhist monk and activist Pomnyun shares advice, opinions on North Korea". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  2. "PAP PROJECTS". www.rmaf.org.ph. 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  3. "Buddhism in Asia: Peace and Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula". The U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  4. "Pomnyun Sunim". The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.
  5. Cho, Woohae (April 27, 2012). "A Monk's Earthly Mission: Easing North Koreans' Pain". The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  6. MURDOCH, EMILY (October 16, 2014). "HOW ONE BUDDHIST MONK DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO NORTH KOREANS". World Religion News. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  7. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzfKXReow3r5n1JR5nVlJZw
  8. https://www.youtube.com/user/jungtosociety/videos
  9. http://hihappyschool.com/happyschool


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